MP21-14 INCREASING HEALTH EQUITY THROUGH VOTER REGISTRATION IN OUTPATIENT CLINICS; THE ACTION PROJECT

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP21-14 INCREASING HEALTH EQUITY THROUGH VOTER REGISTRATION IN OUTPATIENT CLINICS; THE ACTION PROJECT Farah Rahman, Katherine Campbell, and Ranjith Ramasamy Farah RahmanFarah Rahman More articles by this author , Katherine CampbellKatherine Campbell More articles by this author , and Ranjith RamasamyRanjith Ramasamy More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003246.14AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: While national organizations such as the AUA demonstrate the importance of advocacy on the federal and state level by lobbying government officials, advocacy can also take the face of patient empowerment. Voter registration in the US is an individually-driven responsibility. In turn, the group of registrants is not representative of community demographics. Voting disparities in marginalized communities are correlated with higher health disparities. Sicker or uninsured citizens are more supportive of expanding governmental healthcare, but are less likely to vote due to barriers such as registration. ACTION is built on the notion that outpatient clinics are uniquely positioned within minority communities to serve as non-partisan voter registration sites. The goal is to lessen disparities in civic engagement and increase downstream health equity through patient empowerment. METHODS: ACTION was based out of Loyola Outpatient Clinic in Maywood, Illinois. Volunteers were instructed to speak to patients about their registration and mail-in ballot status. All patient interactions were conducted in the clinic waiting room. The intervention was evaluated on the number of registrants, mail-in ballot applications, and survey results. RESULTS: Over 3 months, students volunteered for 43 shifts on 25 days. During this time, volunteers registered 52 patients, 29% of which identified as first-time voters. Volunteers submitted 78 mail-in ballot applications. 84.5% of survey respondents agreed that ACTION was a good idea and 78% agreed that they would like to see this service provided in more medical spaces, such as the main hospital, other specialty clinics, and the emergency room. Lastly, 88% of respondents claimed they had the correct identification at their doctor’s appointment for online voter registration, overcoming a major identified barrier in voter registration. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study demonstrate the important role outpatient medical clinics can play in easing the civic engagement process for traditionally disenfranchised patients. Volunteers averaged 2.08 registered voters and 3.12 mail-in ballot applications per day. For reasons of efficiency, proper documentation to register, and the number of newly registered first-time voters—health clinics prove to be an efficacious location for voter registration. As the AUA commits itself to supporting diversity and equity, the option of mobile voter registration to increase patient empowerment and equitable health policies presents itself as a medium to achieve this success. Source of Funding: New York Academy of Medicine © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e291 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Farah Rahman More articles by this author Katherine Campbell More articles by this author Ranjith Ramasamy More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...